Maddy Wray never thought of herself as much of a runner. But losing her beloved dad, Mick, at just 46 has given her a new sense of purpose.
The 22-year-old Canberra woman is training for the Canberra Times Marathon Festival, and has dedicated the event to her dad.
"Mum found him in the middle of the night, half slumped on the bed. He was unresponsive so we called triple 000 straight away," she said.
"The scans showed that he had had a catastrophic stroke which had destroyed the left side of his brain. It was quick and it was lethal. Dad survived for two days hooked up to machines and I was with him when he took his last breath."
In just a matter of weeks, Maddy has become a runner, and now even enjoys it. She runs every second day.
"I decided to sign up to this challenge for me and Dad. I have never run in my life. But losing Dad has inspired me to achieve this," she said.
"Training for the event has been a big challenge both physically and mentally. But I know Dad would be proud."
In dedicating the run to Mick, Maddy is also raising vital funds for Stroke Foundation to shine a light on stroke.
"Dad was a fun-loving man, he would be up for anything, and loved his family with his whole heart. He was always up for a party. He hadn't always made the best choices with eating and exercise, but in the last few he was in the best shape he had ever been, it's tragic that he died when he was his most healthy and happy."
More than 27,400 Australians will have a stroke for the first time in their lives this year. There will be one stroke every 19 minutes.
High blood pressure is the single biggest modifiable risk factor of stroke and affects on in three Australian adults.
Stroke Foundation's report, No Postcode Untouched, found that if high blood pressure alone was eliminated, the number of strokes would almost be cut in half (48 per cent).
To donate to Maddy's cause, visit the website.
